MANATEE COUNTY – At a meeting Tuesday, Manatee County Commissioners unanimously confirmed Cheri Coryea as acting county administrator. She replaces Ed Hunzeker, who retired.

Coryea became only the second female to ever serve as acting county administrator when she was sworn in on Friday, the first having beenKaren Jackson Sims in 1992. No woman has ever been hired to the position of permanent county administrator in Manatee's history.

Coryea received two standing ovations from a room full of supporters inside BOCC chambers. Commissioners commended her heart and leadership abilities before the vote.

"(Commissioners) have a tough job to do with difficult decisions to make every day for the 388,000 who live here," Coryea said. "I’m here to make the leadership transition the easiest part you have to do and to move things forward. "I’m here to earn the respect and trust of this board and this community."

Commissioner Misty Servia said Coryea has already earned the board's respect and trust. Retiring Administrator Ed Hunzeker added there is no one better to lead the county.

"I couldn’t be happier with the decision," Hunzeker said, adding, "There will be a seamless transition and we’ve worked diligently to make it happen."

Coryea has more than 30 years of experience, including 28 in management with Manatee County. She served as deputy county administrator since 2017 and was Director of the Neighborhood Services Department for the past 10 years.

Earlier in her career with the county, Coryea developed the Children's Services Fund from its inception in 1991 and helped it grow to its current annual budget of $15 million. She oversaw the two Community Redevelopment Area budgets of $2.5 million annually and oversaw the creation of the Southwest Tax Increment Financing District in 2014.

Coryea has led the development of several key county initiatives including: the creation of the Economic Development Incentive Program (EDI), Health Care for the medically needy, Children’s Services Tax, Manatee Millennial Movement (M3), Community Development Block Grant, the formation of the Southwest Tax Increment Financing District, Rubonia Community Center renovations and the Norma Lloyd Park Development. Coryea also authored "Voices," Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness.

As Neighborhood Services Director, she managed an annual budget of over $44 million including federal, state and local grants. She focused on building community relationships and interacting with the over 150 not-for-profit agencies, hospitals, and intergovernmental organizations that collaborate with Manatee County to serve citizens.

Coryea received the 2012 Tampa Bay Business Journal Business Woman of the Year Award (Government category). She was the 2011 American Association of University Women – Manatee Chapter "Making Great Strides in Government“ winner and received the 2009 NAACP Government Humanitarian award and the Manatee Community Council for Children Child Advocate of the Year in 1997.

BOCC Paves the Way for Coryea to Serve as Interim County Administrator